Fan guide · New Zealand

New Zealand fans' guide to Cricket World Cup 2027

Practical, verified travel guidance for New Zealand cricket fans planning a trip to the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Entry is easy for New Zealanders — the real challenge is the longest journey and biggest time-zone shift of any major touring nation.

Last reviewed · July 2026

The tournament

Tournament status

For confirmed tournament dates, hosts, venues and current event status, see the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 hub. The full match schedule has not yet been released, so treat any specific match, date or venue as unconfirmed until the ICC publishes it.

Entry requirements

Do New Zealand passport holders need a visa for South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia?

Entry is relatively straightforward for New Zealand passport holders, but the three host countries differ. The summary below reflects published policy but can change — always confirm with each country's official immigration authority before you book.

South Africa: New Zealand passport holders can generally enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Confirm the current allowance and entry conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.
Zimbabwe (Category B): New Zealand is in Zimbabwe's Category B, so a visa can usually be obtained on arrival or online via the official Zimbabwe e-Visa portal.
Namibia: Namibia introduced visa on arrival for New Zealand travellers in April 2025. Confirm current fees and conditions before travel, or apply online via the official MHAISS portal.

Verify before you book

Visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies can change at short notice. Confirm the current requirements for New Zealand passport holders directly with each country's official immigration authority, and check SafeTravel advice, before making non-refundable bookings.

Official Visa Partner

Apply for your visa through Atlys

CricketVision has partnered with Atlys for visa applications. Check requirements and apply online. A 15% discount on the Atlys service fee is applied when you use our official partner link.

Apply for a Visa

Discount applies to the Atlys service fee only. Government visa fees are not discounted.

Getting there

Flying to Southern Africa from New Zealand

Routings from New Zealand are long-haul and usually connect through Australia, the Gulf, Asia or elsewhere in Africa — often with two stops, so allow a full travel day in each direction. Specific carriers, routes, durations and fares change throughout the year, so compare current options directly with airlines rather than relying on fixed estimates.

If you connect through Australia, check whether you need an Australian transit visa or ETA for your stopover. Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates with enough blank pages for entry stamps.

Practical

Time difference between New Zealand and Southern Africa

All three host countries run on UTC+2 year-round — about ten hours behind New Zealand (NZST, UTC+12), the largest adjustment of any major touring nation, so plan for real jet lag on arrival.

For money, South Africa uses the rand (ZAR), the Namibian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the rand, and Zimbabwe uses the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) alongside the US dollar. Confirm card acceptance and cash needs with your bank before you travel.

Stay informed

Travel advice for New Zealand fans

For health preparation, consult a travel-health clinic and official guidance well before departure, as some routes and transit points can affect vaccination requirements. For safety and entry updates, rely on SafeTravel advice for each destination rather than informal sources.